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Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

#1 Best Online Business Programs in Pennsylvania
Public University Park, PA · Urban · Mid-Atlantic · 93% data
A- Earnings C+ Value C Diversity
Graduation Rate
34% D
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$63,435 A-
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$19,550 C-
Close to the national average
Acceptance Rate
91% D
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +56% vs avg
Graduation -41% vs avg
Net Price 14% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Online Business Programs in Pennsylvania.

18.9× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,401,880.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduates earn 56% more than the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 34% — 41% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $18.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public University
Enrollment
7,877
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, Social Sciences

Why students choose Pennsylvania State University

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 49% overall
A-
Earnings
$63,435 median
C+
Value
3.2× net price
C-
Affordability
$19,550/yr net
D
Graduation
34% graduate
D
Selectivity
91% admit rate
C
Diversity
0.58 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an acceptance rate of 91%, Pennsylvania State University-World Campus is a great fit for students seeking flexibility and a range of online programs. It's especially appealing for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, or Health Professions. The current enrollment of about 7,877 students creates an environment where you can engage deeply without feeling lost in a crowd.

Looking at life after graduation, the earning potential is promising. Graduates typically earn around $63,435 within ten years of finishing their degree. This can be a significant motivator for students, especially when considering that the net price of attendance after aid is about $19,550. While the graduation rate sits at 34%, those who do complete their degrees can see a solid return on investment.

When it comes to financial realities, students graduate with a median debt of $25,000. This is manageable, particularly for those who take advantage of financial aid—31% of students receive Pell Grants. The supportive online environment tends to attract self-motivated individuals who balance work, life, and study effectively. Those who thrive here are often the ones who are proactive and driven to leverage their education for upward mobility.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Pennsylvania State University-World Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-World Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in University Park, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University-World Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,248. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.

Acceptance Rate
91%
Retention Rate
66%
SAT Average
1248
SAT Range
1090–1335
ACT Range
26–32
Student–Faculty Ratio
16:1
Diversity Index
0.58
First-Gen Students
29%
Applicants
857
Admitted
700

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-World Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-World Campus is $15,356, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,550. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,372 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$15,356
Out-of-State
$15,356
Avg Net Price
$19,550
Median Debt
$25,000
Pell Grant Rate
31%
Federal Loan Rate
41%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$16,372
Family Income $30K–$48K
$17,144
Family Income $48K–$75K
$19,337
Family Income $110K+
$26,078

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pennsylvania State University-World Campus — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Pennsylvania State University-World Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-World Campus earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$55,620
8 Years
$60,370
10 Years
$63,435
Debt-to-Earnings
0.39x
Earning > $25K
73%

Earnings Trajectory

$55,620 6yr $60,370 8yr $63,435 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (10)
17%
100% (10)
17%
100% (10)
17%
100% (10)
17%

How Pennsylvania Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation34%Earnings 10yr$63KNet Price$20KRetention66%Median Debt$25KPell Grant Rate31%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$16K$0-30K$17K$30-48K$19K$48-75K$26K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Pennsylvania State University-World Campus Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Pennsylvania State University-World Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,550/year ($78,200 total). Graduates earn $63,435 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,480,080 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,401,880 (18.9× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$78,200
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,480,080
Net Return
$1,401,880
ROI Multiple
18.9×
Cost Per Year
$19,550
Median Debt
$25,000
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
34%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Pennsylvania State University-World Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-World Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in University Park, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University-World Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,248. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-World Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-World Campus is $15,356, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,550. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,372 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.

Is Pennsylvania State University-World Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-World Campus earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pennsylvania State University-World Campus.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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